News Releases

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - May 17, 2013) -

Editors Note: There is a photo associated with this press release.

BMO joins in the fight for conservation as Vancouver Aquarium's newest community partner in support of the Aquarium's $100-million expansion and revitalization, representing the largest, most ambitious re-development in its history.

At the members' sneak peek event on May 15, BMO Financial Group, represented by Joanne Gassman, senior vice president, BC & Yukon Division of BMO Bank of Montreal, announced its donation of $750,000 to the Vancouver Aquarium.

As Canada's largest aquarium, the Vancouver Aquarium has inspired and engaged over 40 million people around the globe for an amazing 57 years. The Aquarium's extensive conservation, research and education programs have grown over the years, as have its interpretive programs and interactive gallery experiences, making the Vancouver Aquarium a leader in aquatic engagement and conservation awareness.

The current revitalization will enable the Aquarium to connect even more people to our natural world, inspiring the change needed to protect our aquatic habitats. With 34,000 square feet of additional public space, new and engaging galleries and a distinctive new entrance plaza, the Aquarium will continue to shine as Vancouver's top cultural institution.

"This immense revitalization project requires the help of our community and, on behalf of our staff and volunteers, we warmly welcome BMO as our newest community partner in helping to conserve aquatic life," says Dr. John Nightingale, Vancouver Aquarium president and CEO. "In recognition of this generous gift of $750,000, the Aquarium has dedicated its latest feature, Jelly Invasion, to BMO with a stunning display called the BMO Jellyfish Bloom."

As a non-profit society, partnerships like this are vital to the conservation, research and education efforts of the Aquarium. BMO's generous donation enables the Aquarium to move one step closer to completing its revitalization, and further advance its conservation efforts.

"BMO Financial Group is very proud to play a major part in the Vancouver Aquarium's revitalization," said Joanne Gassman, senior vice president, BC & Yukon, BMO Bank of Montreal. "This is BMO's largest cultural donation in British Columbia, which is a source of great pride for our employees. We are pleased to support a community partner, such as the Vancouver Aquarium, which plays a leadership role in conservation, research and education, both locally and globally."

The BMO Jellyfish Bloom display is part of the Aquarium's newest feature Jelly Invasion, which opened yesterday. Stepping into the Aquarium, visitors are greeted by thousands of stunning jellies from the lion's mane jelly, which can grow tentacles up to 60 metres long, to the "gardener" upside-down jelly. Not only are jellies mesmerizing, they're also fascinating animals that continue to amaze scientists. With no brain, bones, or heart, they are incredibly adept at finding food, reproducing, and protecting themselves. At Jelly Invasion, visitors also learn about jelly blooms, which are unusually large groups of jellies that can have negative impacts on surrounding environments. Like too much or too little of anything, jelly blooms can throw nature out of balance.

From Jelly Invasion to African penguins, there continues to be new and exciting reasons to visit the Aquarium especially during its revitalization. Moreover, every visitor to the Aquarium directly contributes to its conservation efforts through gallery admission, helping the non-profit Aquarium further its mission.

This transformation will build on the Aquarium's foundation as a marine science centre and extend its reach in engaging people to the issues our oceans face today. The Aquarium thanks BMO for joining its commitment to aquatic conservation.

About Vancouver Aquarium

The Vancouver Aquarium is a non-profit society dedicated to the conservation of aquatic life. www.vanaqua.org.

About BMO Financial Group

For more than 195 years, BMO Financial Group has believed in community reinvestment and corporate and social responsibility in the communities it serves. In 2012, BMO contributed more than $87.6 million in donations, sponsorships and events in Canada and the United States to groups, organizations and programs that help build and sustain resilient, vital and healthy communities. www.bmo.com.

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